Does Julian Edelman's potential injury open up roster spot for Austin Carr?

With one play, rookie Austin Carr may have gone from hoping for a practice squad spot to being a potential contributor on the Patriots’ 53-man roster.

Julian Edelman was carted off the sidelines in the first quarter of Friday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions after visibly tweaking his right knee while attempting to cut. If the team’s initial inklings are correct that Edelman suffered a torn ACL, Carr may be able to capitalize on an open roster spot.

The undrafted rookie from Northwestern has put together a string of positive performances in both training camp and preseason game action to date. He’s hauled in 11 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown in his first three exhibition games and brings a similar skill set to Edelman’s.

Many presumed it would be veteran Andrew Hawkins who would grab a roster spot if injuries presented themselves this offseason, however, his retirement has left Carr as the favorite. Others familiar with the Patriots system such as Devin Lucien will be monitored as well.

The Patriots will know more on Saturday as Edelman is scheduled for an MRI but for now, it seems Carr has done enough to move into the fifth and final receiver slot on New England’s depth chart.